Corn detasseling machine



May 23, 1950 R w, HAGE ETAL 2,508,605

CORN DETASSELING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VEN TORS.

5 Filed Nov. 24, 1947 May 23, 1950 R. w. HAGIE ETAL 2,508,605

CORN DETASSELING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 23, 1950 R. w. HAGIE ETAL coRN bETAssELING MACHINE FiledNov. 24, 1947 s sheets-sheet 5 V Mory/g Patented May 23, 1950 CORN DETASSELING MACHINE Raymond w. unie, clarion, ma nam v. comm,

- Ames, Iowa Application November 24, 1947, sensi No. '181,708 .5 claims. (c1. mol-fac) This invention relates generally to corn workling machines and in particular to a machine for `carrying corn detasselers through a corn eld t0 provide for a manual removal of the corn tassels.-

The machine of this invention is adapted primarily for use in the growing oi' hybrid corn. As is well known, hybrid corn is the result of crossing two grades or types of selected corn. One of such grades is usually referred to as the male corn and the other as the female corn. In planting a field of hybrid corn, the usual practice is to plant two male rows, then six female rows, followed again by two male rows and six female rows vover the entire. eld. When the corn reaches the tassel stage, the tassels are picked only from the female rows. As a result, pollenization of the sliks on the ears of corn in the female rows can onlytake place with the pollen from the tassels in the male rows of corn. The resultant hybrid corn, therefore, is produced only in the female rows, since the pollen from the tassels in thev male rows, dropping on the silks of the ears of corn in the male rows, will merely reproduce the male corn.

Detasseling of the corn in the female rows is generally repeated several times during a single season, since tassels continue to grow until the corn is almost ready to harvest. This detasseling of the female corn is a manual operation. Prior to the use of machines detasseling was accomplished by having persons bend the stalks of female corn over to reach the tassels. However, it is now a rather common practice to provide machines, referred to as corn detasseling machines. capable of carrying six or more persons through adjacent rows of female corn at a relatively slow rate of speed, so the female corn can be detasseled as the machine is advanced.

Corn detasseling machines now in use are generally satisfactory but are objectionable in that they lack adequate maneuverabiiity in the field, in the farmyard and on thehighway. Detasseling must often be done under wet weather conditions' and these machines usually become bogged down orstuck in the mud so that corn detasseling must be suspended during wet field conditions. As a result the yield of hybrid corn may be appreciably reduced.

A further objection is found in the fact that these corn detasseling machines are generally bulky so as to require a large turning radius at the end of the corn rows. As a result a considerable amount of corn is knocked down and lost to theharvest.

Yet another objection is found in the fact that lack of adjustments in the construction of the machine frame providing for the overall width of the machine beingreduced, appreciably limits the transportation of the machine from eld to field. and the adaptation of the machine to detassel a various number of corn rows.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved corn detasseling machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a corn detasseling machine capable of traversing corn fields under substantially all kinds of weather conditions. v

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a corn detasseling machine of a construction such that it is readily adapted to the detas-v seling of either four, six or eight rows of corn, and adiustable ln width to permit its ready travel along the highway and through usual farm gates.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a corn detasseling machine of a simple and compact construction which is easily manipulated through corn fields without destruction to the corn, maneuverable in either a forward or abackward direction, and adapted to be turned around within a minimum of space.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a machine for working in fields of substantially full grown corn, without in any way injuring the corn, for the purpose of spraying or fertilizing the corn, or for carrying persons to detassel the corn.-

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of a corn working machine having a portable frame of a T-shape supported at its three free ends on legs so as to be at an elevation substantially adjacent the upper ends of corn in a tassel stage. The leg at the free end of the stem member of the T-frame is rotatable and carries a relatively large combination traction and steering wheel. Rear ground wheels are mounted at the lower ends of the cross member legs, with all of the legs beingrelatively arrangedtransversely of the machine so as to travel between the rows of corn being worked on.

Another feature of this invention is found in the provision of a corn detasseling machine hav--A ing a portable frame of a T-shape, in which the cross member of the frame is provided with detachable extensions to adapt the machine for the detasseling of four, six or eight rows of corn.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the corn der tasseling machine of this invention;

partly in section, showing the assembly of a def tachable platform support with the main frame of the machine;

Fig. I is a fragmentary perspective view of the front wheel and the steering post therefor; and

Fig. 8 is a foreshortened plan view of the detasseling machine. K

With reference to the drawings, the detasseling machine of this invention is illustrated in Figs. 1, 5 and 8 as including a portable frame ID of a T-shape having a single longitudinally extended backbone or stem member II and a transverse rear frame or cross member I2, both of which are of a tubular construction.

Secured to the front end of the backbone member II is an upright sleeve or bearing member I3 (Figs. 4 and 7) for rotatably supporting the top straight section I4 of a downwardly extended steering post I6 having a front wheel I1 carried on its lower end portion I8. A pair of downwardly proiected tubular legs I9 (Figs. 1 and 5) are secured at their upper ends to the opposite ends of the rear cross member I2. Rear ground wheels 2| are rotatably supported on shafts 22 extended laterally outwardly from the lower ends ofthe legs I9.

VIt is seen, therefore, that the T-frame I0 is supported on the rear legs I9 and on the steering post I6, which constitutes a rotatable front leg. As best appears in Fig.` 1, the backbone member II is inclined forwardly and downwardly from the rear cross member I2. It is contemplated that the rear legs I9 be of a height to provide for the cross member I2 being at a position substantially at the level of the upper vends of corn, which is in a tasse] stage.

The steering post I6 is of a tubular construction and of a somewhat irregular shape, as shown in Fig. 7, for a purpose to appear later. As was previously explained. the top straight section I4 of the steering post I6 is rotatably supported within the sleeve I3 at the front endrof vthe backbone member II. The lower end 23 of the sleeve I3 (Fig. 4) rides on the top side of a collar 24 which is freely rotatable about the steering post I6. The collar 24, in turn, rests on the top side of a ring 26 positioned about and fixed to the steering post I6. A lock ring 21, mounted about the steering post section I4, for contact engagement with the upper end 28 of the sleeve I3, cooperates with the fixed ring 26 to hold the sleeve I 3 against up and down movement relative to the steering post I6. Positioned within the open upper end of the steering post top section I4 is a socket member 29 which is secured, as by welding, to the steering post and formed with a centrally locate opening 3i of a square shape. l

A gear casing 32, for a worm and gear assembly (not shown), is equipped with an input shaft 33 (Figs. 1 and 4) and an output shaft 34 arranged at right angles to each other. The lcasing 32 is arranged so that the shaft 34 extends downwardly and the shaft 33 rearwardly therefrom. The

lower end of the shaft 34 is formed with a square section 36 adapted to be received within the square opening 3| formed in the socket member 29. The casing 32 is maintained in a fixed assembly relation with the frame III by the provision of brace members 31 and 38 connected between the casing 32 and the backbone member I I and sleeve I3, respectively. The shaft 33 is connected at 39 with the front end of a steering rod 4I which extends rearwardly in a spaced relation above the backbone member II and has its rear end 42 rotatably supported in a bracket 43 carried on the member I I. A steering wheel 44 is mounted on the steering rod 42 at a position rearwardly of the cross member I2 and a seat 46, for the machine operator, is carried to the rear of the cross member I2 at a position providing for a convenient manipulation by the operator of the steering Wheel 44.` A foot rest 41 for the operator is supported from the seat 48.

Secured to the4 bottom end section I8 of the steering post I6, as by welding, is a journal sleeve member 48 (Figs. 2 and 7) which rotatably carries an eccentric bearing 49 for a front wheel shaft 5I. The wheel I1 is of a disc type and has the disc 52 thereof transversely oilset so as to be closely adjacent to the wheel side 53. As a result, a cavity or opening indicated at 54, is formed in the wheel side 56. A hub 51 for the Wheel I1 is secured to the disc 52 by bolts 58. 'I'he shaft 5I has one of its ends positioned within and keyed to the hub 51 at 59, while its opposite end 6I projects outwardly from the wheel side 56. The journal sleeve 48 and bearing 49 are positioned between the hub 51 and a sprocket 62 which is keyed at 63 on the shaft end 6I.

The sprocket 62 (Figs. 1 and 8) is connected through a chain 65 with a sprocket 84 mounted on the power takeoff shaft 66 oi a power transmission device 61, which is mounted on the top section I4 of the steering post I6, at a position below the backbone II of the frame I0. A power unit 68, illustrated as being an air cooled engine, is mounted on a base' 69 which issuitably secured to the front side oi' the top section I4 of the steering post and projects forwardly from the post. A pulley 1I for an input or driven shaft 12 of the transmission device 61, is connected through a belt 13 with a pulley 14 carried on a. shaft 16 forming part of an automatic clutch and variable speed unit 15, which is operatively connected with the engine shaft 80.

It is thus seen that the power unit 63 andthe transmission device 61 are arranged at opposite sides of the steering post I6. A usual shift lever 11, for changing the speed and rotational direction of the power takeoil' shaft 88, is formed as a part of the transmission device. A control wire I8 for the engine throttle (not shown) is positioned within the backbone II and has a rear actuated portion 19 arranged forwardly oi' the operators seat 46. By virtue of the variable speed and clutch system 15, a full control of the machine is accomplished through a manipulation of the throttle wire18. A desired adjustment of the tension in the sprocket chain 63 is accomplished by the provision of means including a quadrant 82 mounted about the outer end of the journal sleeve 48y and formed with a series of spaced holes 33 (Figs. 2 and 3). An adjustment lever 84 is secured at the outer end of the eccentric bearing 49 such that an opening 86 therein is movable to an aligned position with one of the quadrant openings 83. On adjustment of the lever 84, the sprocket 82 is moved toward and away from the sprocket 6I of the transmission device 81. A moved position of the lever 8l is maintained by the insertion of a bolt 8l through the lever opening I6 and one of the quadrant openings 88. I

The frcnt wheel l1 is of a relatively large size. and in one embodiment of the invention is of a twenty-four inch diameter rim with a ten inch tire. A wheel and tire of these dimensions has been found to provide a positive tractive effort with the ground under substantially all weather conditions. However, with a large front wheel l1, it is necessary that the assembly of the wheel with its drive sprocket 62, which will hereinafter be referred to as the front wheel assembly. be of a relatively short length transversely of the machine to provide a suitable clearance relation with adjacent rows of corn so as to permit some latitude or variation in the steering of the machine between the corn rows without injuring any ofthe corn.

Such a' compact arrangement of the front wheel assembly is accomplished by means including the onset disc 62 and the irregular shaped steering post I6 (Fig. '1). The journal'sleeve 48 and eccentric bearing l are positioned substantially within the wheel cavity 60 and the shaft end 6| is of a length so as to be positioned closely adjacent to the wheel side I6.

The steering post I6 (Fig. 7) 'is formed with two reversely curved portions 81 and 88, over its intermediate section, with such curved portions being in the same plane and relatively arranged so 'that the bottom .straight section I8 of the steering post is substantially within the wheel cavity' il, the lower curved portion 88 is extended about the front wheel tire 88 at the wheel side I6 at a position between the upright lengths of the sprocket chain 66, the upper curved portion 81 is extended about the top side of the tire 60.

and the Atop straight section Il is in an upright.

horizontal platforms '82, on which `the tassel pickers stand, are carried at the lower ends of upright pipe members 03 which are secured to ring clamps 84 adapted to llt about the frontplatformsupport 8|. Curved railings 86 are provided at the top ends of the pipe members 63 against. which the tassel pickers may rest. By virtue of the clamp rings 84, the platforms 92 are.. .adjustably movable in an up and down direction, and pivotally about the front platform support 0|.

A .pair of rear standing platforms 61, for the rear legs I8, are mounted on forwardly projected extensions 88 formed at the lower ends of upright pipe members 88, equipped with clamp rings lll adapted to fit about the rear legs.` Rest railings |88 are provided at the top ends of the upright members 88.

As thus `far described, the machine .of this invention is adapted for the -detasseling of four rows of corn. Thus, as shown in'Fig.`8, the. front whe`el assembly and rear legs l| 0,-are spaced 'transversely of the machine so as to travel between adjacent rows of corn, indicated at |02, |08, |00 and |06, with the front wheel assembly being between the rows |03 and |04 and the rear legs i8 between the rows |02 and |03, and the rows |04 and |05. The tasse] pickers on the front platforms 82 are thus in positions to work on the rows |08 and |04, while the detasselers' on the rear platforms 01 work on the rows |02 and |05. By virtue of the arrangement of the operators 'seat 46 on the rear cross member |2, the operator is in a position to both steer the machine and to oversee theA work of the detasselers who are positioned below him, so as to adjust the machine speed to detasseling conditions. j

When six rows of corn are to be detasseled, the -cross member |2 is Aprovided with extension yunits of a tubular construction, indicated generally as |08 (Figs. 5 and 6), and of a substantially inverted U-shape having one leg |01 shorter than the other leg |08. The length of the base orconnecting member |08 between the -legs |01 and |08, corresponds to the transverse distance between the steering post I6 and the rear legs l0.

In assembly, the short leg -|01 is received in bearing engagement within the open top end of the rear legs I8 to provide for a pivotal movement of an extension unit |06 within a rear leg. The units |06 are maintained against pivbled with the legs |08 in all respects similar to the like parts associated with the rear legs I9'. A further description of the standing platform for the legs |08 is thus believed to be unnecessary.

When the extension units |06 are used, the detasselers carried thereby are adapted to work on the corn rows |24 and |26 (Fig. 8), which are arranged adjacentl to andto the outside ofthe corn rows |02 andV |05, it being understood that the rows |02-|05, inclusive, are detasseled in all respects in the manner previously described.

For the detasseling of eight rows of corn, the extension units |06 are provided-with detachable platform supports, designated generally as ||4 (Figs. 5, 6 and 8) of an inverted L-shape tubular construction. The short leg 6 of an L-support ||4 has its free end ||1 adapted to be received within the open outer end ||8 of the base member |09 of a corresponding extension unit |06.

Extended transversely through the base member endsvl I8 are bolts or rod members I |0 which are receivable within a pair of oppositely arranged inclined slots |2| formed in the ends |1 of the L-member legs ||6 so as to constitutea bayonet and slot connection. The slots |2| and bolts ||8 are relatively arranged so that in their connected positions the long legs |22 of the lL- members ||4 are projected downwardly from the- Standing platforms 01, having upright members 88 equipped with clamp rings I0 I, are assem-v bled with the L-member legs |22 in all respects similar to the assembly of like parts with the asoasos extension legs itt. In the detasseling of eight rows'of com, the l.=member attachments H4 are assembled with the extensions |08 to provide for the detasseling of the corn rows |21 and |28, as shown in Fig. 8.

When the machine is to travel along a highway, or through a farm gate, it is only necessary to elevate the extensions |06 to disengage the lugs I l2 from the slots ||3 so that the lugs H2 ride on the top edges of the upper ends of the legs I9. The extensions |06 and attachments HI are then pivotally swung forwardly as a unit, toward the backbone Il, whereby to appreciably decrease the overall transverse dimension of the machine.

To facilitate the handling of the machine for shipping purposes, the connecting member I2 (Figs. and 8) has flanged connections I3| with the rear legs I9, and a flanged connection |32 with the backbone member Il. Also, the backbone member is in a ilanged connection |33 with the steering post assembly. It is seen, therefore, that the attachments H4, extensions |06, rear legs I9, connecting member l2, backbone member Il, and component parts of the steering post assembly including the power unit B8, can be conveniently handled as individual packages. From'a consideration of the above description, it is seen that the invention provides a corn detasseling machine of a compact and rugged construction, having a high degree of maneuverability, capable of operating under substantially all weather conditions, and readily applicable to the detasseling of either four, six or eight rows of corn. The machine is completely operable from the operators seat 46, and the operator is at a position to not only steer the machine but to conveniently oversee the work of the tassel pickers carried on the standing platforms.

When grown corn is to be fertilized, fertilizer containers (not shown) may be mounted from the front platform support 9|, and the legs I9, |08 and |22 to provide for the spreading of fertilizer between the corn rows. For spraying purposes a compressor (not shown) is mountable on vthe engine base 69 forwardly of the unit 68, and

a pressure tank (not shown) is carried on the backbone Il rearwardly of the steering post I6. Sprays (not shown) connectible with the pressure tank, may be carried in a spaced relation on the rear transverse member l2, connecting members |09 and leg members I6.

Although the invention has been illustrated in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as deflned by the appended claims. r

We claim:

1. A corn detasseling machine comprising a frame structure having a longitudinally extended frame member, a downwardly projected steering post rotatably supported at the front end of said frame member, a combination tractor and steering wheel at the lower end of said steering post, a power unit on said steering post operatively connected with said front wheel, a transverse frame member secured intermediate the ends thereof to the rear end of said longitudinal frame member, a pair of upright frame members ,extended downwardly from the opposite ends of said transverse member, rear ground wheels carried at the lower ends ci' said upright members, a second pair of upright members spaced from said rst pair of upright members, means supporting said second pair of upright members on said first pair of upright members for movement to positions in the plane of said transverse member, and to positions substantially vwithin the longitudinal confines of said transverse member, standing platforms mounted on said upright members, and other standing platforms mounted on said longitudinal frame member.

2. A corn detasseling machine comprising a longitudinally extended frame member, a transverse member secured intermediate the rear ends thereof to the rear end of said frame member, a pair of upright supports connected adjacent their upper ends to the outer ends of said transverse member, ground wheels rotatably carried at the lower ends of said upright supports, extension units pivotally supported at the ends of said transverse member for adjustable movement in a horizontal plane, downwardly projected supports at the free ends of said extensions, standing platforms carried on all of said supports at positions adjacent the lower ends thereof, `a downwardly extended steering post rotatably supported at the front end of said longitudinal member, a steering wheel rotatably supported at the lower end of said steering post, and a power unit on said steering post operatively connected in a driving relation with said steering wheel.

3. A corn detasseling machine comprising a main frame of a T-shape having the stem thereof extended longitudinally of the machine and the cross arm thereof arranged transversely of the machine at the rear end of said stem, a downwardly extended steering post rotatably supported at the front end of the stem of said T-frame, a front wheel on said steering post, a power unit on said steering post for driving said front wheel, a pair of downwardly projected legs at the opposite ends of said cross member, rear wheels adjacent the lower ends of said pair of legs, longitudinal extensions for said cross member, means pivotally supporting said extensions on said cross member for adjustable movement in a horizontal plane, supports suspended from theouter ends of said extensions, standing platforms mounted on said legs, supports and stem member, with said steering post, legs and supports being relatively arranged so as to travel between the rows of corn.

4. A corn detasseling machine comprised of a portable frame of a substantially T-shape hav` ing the stem thereof arranged longitudinally of the machine and the cross arm thereof arranged transversely of the machine at the rear end of said stem, an upright steering post rotatablysupported at the front end of said stem, a combination traction and steering front wheel at the lower end of said steering post, a power unit on said steering post located above said front wheel and operatively connected therewith, a pair of downwardly projected supports at the opposite ends of said cross member, a pair of rear wheels carried adjacent the lower ends of said Lsuppor, rst standing platforms adjustably carried on said supports for up and down movement and for pivotal movement about said supports, and second standing platforms adjustably supported from the front end of said stem at a position rearwardly of said steering post.

5. A corn detasseling machine comprised of a portable frame having a longitudinal frame member and a transverse member secured to the rear end :of said longitudinal member, an upright steering post. rotatably supported at the front 9 end of said longitudinal member, a. combination traction and steering front wheel at the lower end of said steering post, a power unit on said steering post located above said front wheel and operatively connected therewith, a pair of downwardly projected tubular supports at the opposite ends of said transverse member, rear ground wheels adjacent the lower ends of said supports, longitudinal extensions for said transverse member, pivots at the inner ends of said extensions receivable in bearing engagement within the upper ends of said tubular supports, means for holding said extensions against pivotal movement at positions in substantial longitudinal alignment with said transverse member, downwardly projected leg members at the outer ends of said extensions, rst standing platforms carried on said tubular supports and leg members, and second standing platforms supported from said longitudinal member adjacent the forward end thereof.

RAYMOND W. HAGIE. EDGAR V. COLLINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS f Number Name Date 152,244 Murch June 23, 1874 889,958 OShaughnessy June 9, 1908 1,052,829 Karminski et al Feb. 11, 1913 1,362,944 Kirby Dec. 21, 1920 2,095,007 Pfister Oct. 5, 1937 2,184,198 Seeber Dec. 19, 1939 2,378,143 Jensen June l2, 1945 2,427,746 Sawtell --.1---- Sept. 23, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 621,246 Germany Nov. 4, 1935 

